Dr Haopeng Wang, Lecturer in Structural Engineering Materials at the University of Liverpool, has been awarded a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship to develop an innovative approach to road construction and maintenance.
His five-year research programme will explore how prefabricated asphalt panels could transform road construction and maintenance, reducing construction times, minimising disruption to road users and supporting more sustainable transport infrastructure.
The project, Prefabricated Rollable Pavement Systems for Modular Integrated Road Construction, will combine modular asphalt panels with induction-activated reversible bonding technologies, allowing road surfaces to be rapidly installed, removed, repaired and reused. The approach has the potential to reduce material waste, lower carbon emissions and minimise disruption caused by roadworks.
The interdisciplinary programme will bring together expertise in pavement engineering, polymer science, electromagnetic induction, systems engineering and life-cycle assessment. Collaborators include the universities of Nottingham and Warwick, National Highways, Liverpool City Council and Rosehill Polymers Group.
Together, the team will investigate new materials, bonding mechanisms and modular construction methods to support more sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure.
Dr Wang said: “I am delighted to have been awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship. This Fellowship will enable me to pursue an ambitious interdisciplinary research programme that reimagines how roads are constructed and maintained. By combining innovative pavement materials with reversible bonding technologies, we aim to develop road systems that can be rapidly installed, removed and reused, helping to reduce carbon emissions, minimise disruption to road users and support a more sustainable and circular future for transport infrastructure.”
Dr Wang is one of 13 early-career researchers selected for a Research Fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineering this year. The scheme supports outstanding early-career researchers in developing independent research programmes over five years, helping them build the expertise and leadership skills needed to become future research leaders.
Dr Christina Guindy, Associate Director of Research Programmes at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “This year’s incredible awardees embody the Academy’s mission of Engineering a Better Future. From addressing long-overlooked challenges in women’s healthcare to advancing pioneering research in areas like AI and clean energy, these researchers are pushing the boundaries of engineering innovation.
“Supporting early-career researchers is essential to strengthening the UK’s global competitiveness and economic growth, while helping to develop the next generation of research leaders whose work will shape our future.”